Heard-Chamber Music Concert Analysis

Living in a world surrounded by noises and sounds, one cannot deny that music lives all around them. Schools, street corners, sporting events, there is one thing you will always find: music. Music education is quickly becoming defunct in schools, as many try to decry its many benefits. A growing emphasis on the concrete subjects of math and science, whose benefits are more immediate, are pushing the creativity and imagination of music classes to the back of the budget. Music education is no longer described as stimulating and exciting, but rather unnecessary and distracting. But the benefits of having an education in music is undeniable. Simply being around music can have a positive impact on life. Music enables the human race to discover emotions that they have never uncovered before. The human mind is refreshed by music; “our imagination and memories are stimulated by the sounds, and summon feelings and memories associated with the musical sound” (Wingell 15). Without music, the world would be silent. Lifeless. No matter what language one speaks or what culture one is from, music is a universal language, connecting the hearts of people around the entire world. In schools throughout the nation, that connection is being severed because of budget cuts and lack of funding, but the benefits of music education are clear. The benefits of having an education in music are not only present in the classroom; a lasting impact is also left on the social and emotional growth of a person, though the gains may not be evinced immediately. Participating in musical education programs in schools can give students the opportunity to form lasting friendships and to gain skills that will last them their entire lives. Music education can be beneficial to students because it enhances students’ performance in the classroom, aids in improving student’s interest and engagement in school, and advances students’ social and emotional growth.

Throughout history African Americans have always fought for true equality. Whether it be slave revolts or sitting in the reserved section for whites on a segregated bus, African Americans have stood up for their rights and demanded change in society. One way they fostered a change in society is through the development of music. Historically, African American musicians have uniquely expressed their ideals of the American Dream through musical periods such as jazz, rock, and rap and the historical movements behind them by utilizing their elevated platform to speak about the plight of African Americans and fight for equality through historical protests, music, and speeches.

Diana Hollinger, Russ Sperling, JoAnn Ford (2009, november 5). the state of music education in schools. (M. Cavanaugh, Interviewer)

On April 11th, 2017 in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, I attended the GVSU “University Band”. This up-beat ensemble lasted about 90 minutes; the talented students of GVSU’s university band joined together to perform multiple different songs ranging from a Waltz to a Dixieland Jamboree. All of the songs that the band played for the audience were all well-known, popular songs that they all enjoyed. Having the opportunity to attend this concert has opened new musical paths for myself and has allowed me to enjoy and kindly critique something that I perhaps would have never had the chance to otherwise.

Stereotype’s fills the halls of secondary schools all across America, from your athletic super stars shooting hoop in the gym to the geniuses swiftly flipping through books in the library. However, there is one room where every stereotype mixes together for one purpose! In the band hall people from all backgrounds come together to create a beautiful melody. Regardless of your ability to slam a home run, grow a multitude of crops, or make a scientific discovery, everyone can join together, unite, and play music without any draw backs from stereotypes. Music is more than a class, it’s a sanctuary to escape the typical chaos of school. Participation in band avails each musician to an infinite journey of creative expression connecting to a language

If you did not make it out to see The Jazz Ensemble on Tuesday, Apr. 19th, then you really missed out on a great evening of music. Family, friends, and jazz lovers nearly filled the Anne R. Belk Theater to watch and listen to the performance directed by Dr. Will Campbell, with special guest Derrick Gardner. Gardner is a highly accomplished jazz trumpet player, who has traveled the world playing jazz music.The Ensemble member are; Bryce Harris, Jonathan Carroll, Cody Belton, Garrett Brown and Bryan Patterson on the saxophone, Richard Hall, Casey Blackwelder, Wesley Taylor, Liam McMahon and Cameron Francis on the trumpet, Nathan Ricer, Patrick Foray, Virginia Crooks and Kyle Barnhardt on the trombone, Dallas Holder on the piano, Brian Gilbert on the guitar, and Colin Ray and Eric Chang on the drums. The Ensemble played seven songs, and four of those were played with Gardner. The songs were performed in this order “A Pair of Aces,” “You Must Believe in Spring,” “Count Me In,” “Big Dipper,” “Footprints,” “Just a Touch” and “Lil’ Fawdy.” All of the songs were performed exceptionally well, out of the seven these two were my favorite.

Music is an essential part of today’s culture, especially here at the University of Delaware. There is a wide variety of activities to get involved in on campus, from instrumental ensembles to choruses and everything in between. There are also several options for majors involving music. Overall, there are many options for each and every student at the University of Delaware to pursue their passions, and to expand their college education to studies that consist of more than could be learned from books, lectures, and laboratory work. This was the ultimate goal for Rodney Sharp, a very significant man who invested a lot of time and money in the school.

Across the United States many elementary school music classrooms are filled with simple and popular tunes such as Hot Cross Buns and The Ode to Joy, played on the recorder, while high school students may be playing collegiate or professional pieces of music such as Armenian Dances and Carmen Suites. I have been very fortunate to have gone on the journey of progressing through different music education programs within Fairfax County Public Schools. If I was never exposed to music while in elementary school I might not have ever found one of my greatest passions or been able to create such fond and unforgettable memories. While music education programs across the country appear large and strong, many schools are beginning to experience budget reductions. As a result, music is often the very first component of a school 's curriculum or programs to be cut or significantly reduced, but I believe this is not the right course of action. It is important to preserve and promote music education in public schools because of the proven cognitive, character,and academic benefits for students.

Tonic performed at the BMO Harris Pavilion stage at Summerfest on the last day of the festival. The band took the stage at 5pm (Central standard time), and opened their gig with "Open Up Your Eyes." The song was featured on Tonic's Lemon Parade project, which was released in 1996. Summerfest's artist lineup was had several 1990s bands, some of them included Smash Mouth and Toad the Wet Sprocket. It seems fans of the other bands also flocked to the Pavilion to see Tonic play, and the venue was almost at full-capacity.

Throughout African-American history, music has proven to be a powerful and transformative force. From slavery to the Civil Rights Movement, the use of song fortified spirit, serving as a guiding light for the oppressed group. Although it had a limited impact on the Civil Rights Movement, the use of music by the African-American community significantly conveyed the message of hope to those affected by racial oppression, which mustered strength and resilience within the people. The historical and sociocultural circumstance from which music emerged in the African-American community demonstrates its fundamental values. The contextual nature of song impacted its usage and the affect that this had on other methods of protest. Different Civil Rights

Commemorating International Women’s Day, The first concert in the Bucknell Orchestra Semester of Social Justice Series explores the music of great women composers. The concert opens with the March of the Women, and the overture to The Boatswain’s Mate by Ethel Smyth, British composer and suffragette. Flute soloist Leslie Cullen will perform Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute and Orchestra. Music from the first symphony of Florence Price, the first African-American woman to have a composition performed by a major orchestra, and Rachel Portman’s original film score to The Cider House Rules completes the program. Leslie Cullen, flute soloist and the Women of the Bucknell Chorale, Dr. Beth Willer, director, are the orchestra’s guest artists.

The issue/concern that I am bringing forth in my Capstone project deals with public education. More specifically, music education in secondary school within the public school system. In recent years, the arts have not been the priority in regards to funding and what our youth needs in terms of preparation for the real world. This is partially due to instituting ideas like NCLB (No Child Left Behind) to focus on just the essentials for children to learn. In the academic world, one may refer to this as essentialism in education. As a result, the arts have viewed as not something that is essential. My case originated from my own personal experiences as a music educator and seeing growth from music students.

In concert band, I have been first chair since 7th grade. I have to learn music of all different styles and perform them for audiences. In marching band, I have been lead flutist, woodwind captain, and more recently I have earned the title of being drum major. As drum major, I conduct the band and provide an example for my peers. I am required to model leadership, responsibility, dedication, and

The first half of the concert was only instrumental. There were two violins, two violas, and two cellos. They sat on stage with the violins one my right, then the violas in the middle, and the cellos on the end. The violins played a few songs solo. The second half of the concert was only the choir and a piano. Their performance started with the song Daybreak. The song Daybreak also had a few girls playing percussion, one of them had a tambourine. Using SHMRG, the Harmony of most of the choirs songs were very homophonic. The Melody of most of the songs were mainly slow, though a couple songs were very fast, and upbeat.

I had the opportunity of attending the Chamber Music Workshop Concert in the Lang Recital Hall, located in Hunter College. This concert took place on December 6th, of 2017. Directed by Joao Luiz, this concert featured numerous performers of whom each specializing in different instruments and “voice”. The musical pieces that were played during this concert were very diverse in terms of the “environment” and “emotion” it conveyed. As suggested by the title of the concert, the environment was suited ideally for chamber music. Chamber music is a form of classical music typically composed of nine compositions or fewer or otherwise, a chamber ensemble. It takes place in ideally, a small intimate hall or setting. The Lang Recital Hall features a